Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: OldBow on March 15, 2007, 11:34:57 pm

Title: Kevin Kelsey's Hickory Board Bow
Post by: OldBow on March 15, 2007, 11:34:57 pm: Forwarded by Ed Ingold, Editor, PA
My name is Kevin Kelsey. I am 14 years old and from Bozeman, MT. I made this bow from a hickory board using instructions from various magazines. This is my first bow and I would like to submit it to the June or July Bow of the Month. It took many tries before I built a bow that didn’t break during the tillering process. No one in my family has ever tried to make a bow let alone bowhunt so I taught myself the art of building a self-bow. This bow is 68 inches in length. The limbs taper from 1 ¼ inches to one inch at the nocks. The bow draws 45 pounds at 27 inches (I was hoping to hit 50 pounds). I was surprised at how smooth the draw was. Though the weight is more than my laminated Martin recurve it feels much lighter. The arrow rest is made of mule deer antler and the handle is wrapped with a heavy twine. Out of all of my bows this is my favorite because it’s one of a kind and is so simple. Next year I plan to harvest a whitetail with it. The thought of harvesting a deer with a weapon made of a tree that deer could have rubbed on really helps to feel close to the deer. Now I am hooked on primitive archery and cannot see myself going back to modern archery. Here are some pictures of my bow.

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Title: Re: Kevin Kelsey's Hickory Board Bow
Post by: OldBow on March 15, 2007, 11:39:40 pm: Looking really good. Of course, if you're from Montana, its got to be good :)
Bookmarked, too, for March Self Bow of the Month
Title: Re: Kevin Kelsey's Hickory Board Bow
Post by: tpoof on March 15, 2007, 11:41:58 pm: What a great bow!! :o ;D Almost brings a tear to the eye :'( I remember a young kid like that way back when,,,
Title: Re: Kevin Kelsey's Hickory Board Bow
Post by: RG on March 15, 2007, 11:45:25 pm: Way to go young man looks great for the first look foward to many great bows from you
Title: Re: Kevin Kelsey's Hickory Board Bow
Post by: mack on March 15, 2007, 11:46:28 pm: Congratulations on your work. The first of many in the future, I'm sure. Its addictive.

mack
Title: Re: Kevin Kelsey's Hickory Board Bow
Post by: Coo-wah-chobee on March 15, 2007, 11:54:54 pm: .......................Beautiful............clean and simple ! Tpoff is right...almost brings a tear to the eye. There must have been a young kid like that way back, but its so long ago I can't remember. Welcome aboard and feel free to ask questions on your next bow Kevin if you have any.............bob
Title: Re: Kevin Kelsey's Hickory Board Bow
Post by: comix on March 15, 2007, 11:58:41 pm: Jep... a really great bow... keep on building
Nothing better than shooting the first arrows from a just finished bow, isn'there?
so now you are infected by the bow-buildig virus I guess ;-)
Title: Re: Kevin Kelsey's Hickory Board Bow
Post by: jpitts on March 16, 2007, 01:12:55 am: Very nice Kevin....simple and clean.....wish I had started at your age. Congratulations !!!
Title: Re: Kevin Kelsey's Hickory Board Bow
Post by: 1/2primitive on March 16, 2007, 01:19:01 am: Glad to see there are others like me startin' early! Keep it up, It looks great!;D
Sean
Title: Re: Kevin Kelsey's Hickory Board Bow
Post by: Badger on March 16, 2007, 02:21:36 am: You made me feel proud and I don't even know you, Thats is one heck of a first bow. I have a feeling we are going to be seeing more of you around here and I am looking forward to watching you grow as a bowyer, Steve
Title: Re: Kevin Kelsey's Hickory Board Bow
Post by: michigan bowguy on March 16, 2007, 02:33:49 am: wow, great bow.great story.
keep with it bro.
jamie
Title: Re: Kevin Kelsey's Hickory Board Bow
Post by: Pappy on March 16, 2007, 07:28:48 am: Just goes to show us ,they can't start to early.Nice tiller and good all round job.Looking forward to seeing more in the future.You know you can't make just one. ;D
Pappy
Title: Re: Kevin Kelsey's Hickory Board Bow
Post by: Dustybaer on March 16, 2007, 07:29:17 am: now that's inspiring. congratulations. i hope you succeed with your harvest. you and the bow deserve it.
Title: Re: Kevin Kelsey's Hickory Board Bow
Post by: DanaM on March 16, 2007, 07:36:56 am: Welcome to the family Kevin, you will have lots of big brothers on here, heck theres even a few grandpa's ;D
Great job on yer bow and good luck tagging yer buck.

DanaM
Title: Re: Kevin Kelsey's Hickory Board Bow
Post by: Hillbilly on March 16, 2007, 08:34:33 am: Way to go, Kevin. Great looking bow, and great story. We need to extract your DNA and implant it in all teenagers.......
Title: Re: Kevin Kelsey's Hickory Board Bow
Post by: Ryano on March 16, 2007, 11:02:56 am: Thats a fine looking weapon Kevin! Great job! I can really relate to what you said about hunting with a primitive bow, it just makes you feel one with nature... :)
Title: Re: Kevin Kelsey's Hickory Board Bow
Post by: Agbowyer on March 16, 2007, 01:05:55 pm: Kevin, that's a great job. You stayed with it through setbacks and triumphed. That's a trait many people (not just young people) lack today. Keep that attitude and you'll always be okay. Can't wait to see a pic of the deer this fall.... Chris
Title: Re: Kevin Kelsey's Hickory Board Bow
Post by: stiknstring on March 16, 2007, 02:29:52 pm: Hey Kevin-

Welcome to the board from one Montanan to another (Shepherd here but grew up in Manhattan) Nice looking stick you got there. Keep up the good work!
Title: Re: Kevin Kelsey's Hickory Board Bow
Post by: AndrewS on March 19, 2007, 08:46:41 am: Hi Kevin,
a fine bow and not your last bow ;)
I hope more young boys enjoying in bowbuilding :)
Title: Re: Kevin Kelsey's Hickory Board Bow
Post by: snedeker on March 19, 2007, 11:43:13 am: Great. The kid makes a fine bow.

Dave
Title: Re: Kevin Kelsey's Hickory Board Bow
Post by: GregB on March 19, 2007, 02:27:21 pm: I really like your bow Kevin, and appreciate your sharing your thoughts with us! I'm with Hillbilly, I wish my two boys would be interested...
Title: Re: Kevin Kelsey's Hickory Board Bow
Post by: venisonburger on March 19, 2007, 08:28:38 pm: Sweet looking bow Kevin, you have quite a jump on some of the older bowyers here, glad to welcome you. Hope you win Bow of the month.
VB
Title: Re: Kevin Kelsey's Hickory Board Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on March 19, 2007, 10:06:16 pm: Kevin, great job. That's nice to see. Well done. Jawge
Title: Re: Kevin Kelsey's Hickory Board Bow
Post by: benthickory31 on April 03, 2007, 04:08:51 am: HEY GREAT JOB ON THE HICKORY! I'M STARTING TO GO FROM COMPOUND TO PRIMIE... SO YOU'RE A HEAD OF ME BUT I GUESS WE 'LL LEARN TOGEATHER . ??? ???
Title: Re: Kevin Kelsey's Hickory Board Bow
Post by: Gordon on April 03, 2007, 10:19:08 am: That bow has some mojo for sure. I'm looking forward to seeing pics of the deer that you will harvest with it. Excellent job on your first bow!